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Commentary

Christmas is an incomparable celebration, whether you believe in it or not, you are forcefully involved in it. If you go to the department stores any other day besides Saturday or Sunday and they are crowded, not to mention the traffic, and if you go to the airports, it’s unbelievable of how much air traffic there is.

joint committee empaneled to adopt a sufficient balance for the state’s “rainy day fund” approved $7 billion as the floor for it. Properly titled the Economic Stabilization Fund, the oil and gas tax-fueled pool of money was created by constitutional amendment in 1988 when oil was selling as low as $10 a barrel, causing state coffers to run thin. Calculated at $6.7 billion last August, the fund previously had no required minimum. The maximum the fund may hold is capped at 10 percent of the state’s general revenue during the previous two-year budget cycle.

Turkeys, I suppose, are unaware that their “jobs” in life are to gobble down granular foodstuff in a timely manner that will render them prime menu targets for us to gobble down—particularly at Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. They do so with little fanfare— save the one that is “spared” by presidential decree. Chicken—the meat Chick-fil-A’s advertising cows urge us to eat more of—make far more “news” if only in ads throughout the year. But turkeys? Not so much. Mostly, we use their name in derisive manners. When we label others as “turkeys,” they may consider themselves put down.

Gov. Rick Perry on Dec. 3 ordered state agencies to check the employment eligibility of current and prospective employees by using E-Verify, an Internet-based system that allows employers to determine the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States

Perhaps the most nagging question left unanswered after five wonderful days in San Diego is this: Where could San Diegans choose to vacation that would rival the wonderment available year-round in their own backyards? It is a magical place by any measure, whether one is seeking the grandeur of nature, man-made attractions or a culture where community pride assured the natural beauty of beaches long before zoning laws decreed so.

You can almost hear the smooth voice of Carly Simon as she croons this most under-appreciated Advent carol. “We can never know the days to come, but we think about them anyway… ” OK, it’s not exactly an Advent song. But Advent is about waiting and anticipating what is going to happen. Some of the scriptures that have been connected with this season call us “to keep watch” and “to stay awake” (Mark 13:24-37).

Police responded to reports of gunfire in the capital city’s downtown area around 2 a.m. on Nov. 28. An estimated 100 shots were fired in about 10 minutes, hitting buildings including the Mexican consulate, police headquarters and the federal court building. No pedestrians, motorists or building occupants were reported injuredin the incident.

Time was, when urged to “follow the bouncing ball,” we did so willingly. Hopping from syllable to syllable, the ball was helpful as we sang along—or maybe just hummed—during cartoons at Saturday movie matinees. And didn’t we willingly “sing along with Mitch” (Miller) on his weekly TV Lately, though, the general population has opted to say “phooey” to bouncing balls—essentially the same response as for many other rules, laws or requests. Who among us has not ripped off the mattress labels warning us not to? Nevermind they are meant to protect consumers. We rip away—perhaps because we can—stubbornly bowing our necks, clinging to ever-diminishing independence….

With Thanksgiving and Christmas soon approaching, families will be traveling by car and airplane to visit with friends and relatives. This is a good time to stop and think about having your child in the proper car seat before you begin to plan your trip. Although parents always want to protect their children, studies show that nationally, 3 out of 4 car seats are not used correctly. For a car seat to best protect your child, it must be one that fits your child, fits your vehicle, and is one that you will use correctly every time you travel. Choose the right seat for your child’s age, size, and development; and choose a seat that will fit properly in your vehicle.

President Barack Obama on Nov. 20 announced his decision to take executive action on immigration because Congress has not acted on immigration reform to address the presence and inflow of undocumented residents. “In order to temporarily stay in the U.S. without fear of deportation, these undocumented parents of U.S. citizens and unlawful permanent residents would have to: Have been here 5+ years, pass a background check, pay taxes,” according to information posted by the White House.